Fuel cell system and control method for fuel cell system

ABSTRACT

A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack; a fuel gas supply/exhaust unit; an oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit; and a control unit. The control unit determines whether there is a phenomenon in the fuel cell stack resulting from local power generation concentration within a plane of a membrane electrode assembly due to a water distribution. When it is determined that there is the phenomenon, the control unit controls at least one of the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a fuel cell system and a control method for afuel cell system.

2. Description of Related Art

A fuel cell that generates electric power by the electrochemicalreaction between fuel gas and oxidant gas attracts attention as anenergy source. The fuel cell includes a polymer electrolyte fuel cellthat uses a polymer electrolyte membrane as an electrolyte membrane. Thepolymer electrolyte fuel cell generally uses a membrane electrodeassembly in which an anode and a cathode are respectively bonded to bothsurfaces of the electrolyte membrane. Then, in the polymer electrolytefuel cell, in order to obtain desired power generation performance, itis necessary to keep the electrolyte membrane in an appropriate wetstate to thereby appropriately maintain the proton conductivity of theelectrolyte membrane.

In such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, during power generation, thereoccurs a nonuniform water content distribution (nonuniform distributionof wet state) within the plane of the electrolyte membrane of themembrane electrode assembly, and the nonuniform water contentdistribution may cause a nonuniform power generation distribution. Then,when there occurs a locally insufficient water content within the planeof the electrolyte membrane, the amount of power generation per unitarea may exceed an allowable value in another region where there is noinsufficient water content. Hereinafter, in the membrane electrodeassembly, the fact that the amount of power generation per unit arealocally exceeds an allowable value is termed “power generation locallyconcentrates” or “local power generation concentration”. Then, the powergeneration concentration leads to local degradation of the membraneelectrode assembly. In addition, in an oxidant gas flow passage forflowing oxidant gas along the surface of the cathode, for example, theremay occur a nonuniform power generation distribution caused by anonuniform distribution of residual water that is produced during powergeneration and remains as liquid. Then, when there is a locallyexcessive amount of residual water in the oxidant gas flow passage,oxidant gas supplied to part of region of the cathode becomesinsufficient, so power generation locally concentrates in another regionwhere oxidant gas supplied is not insufficient to thereby lead to localdegradation of the membrane electrode assembly. This also applies to afuel gas flow passage for flowing fuel gas along the surface of theanode. That is, local power generation concentration due to a waterdistribution (the above described water content distribution andresidual water distribution) within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly leads to local degradation of the membrane electrode assembly.In addition, a nonuniform temperature distribution within the plane ofthe membrane electrode assembly also causes a nonuniform powergeneration distribution to thereby lead to local degradation of themembrane electrode assembly. Then, local degradation of the membraneelectrode assembly leads to early degradation of the fuel cell as awhole.

Then, various techniques for uniformizing a power generationdistribution within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly havebeen suggested. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2007-317553 (JP-A-2007-317553) describes a technique for a fuel cellsystem, in which temperature measuring means and cell voltage measuringmeans are provided at least two positions along a direction in whichoxidant gas flows within a power generation plane of a cell (fuel cell),a nonuniform power generation distribution within the power generationplane is estimated on the basis of a temperature difference measured bythe temperature measuring means and a voltage difference measured by thecell voltage measuring means and then the amount of coolant or oxidantgas supplied to the fuel cell is increased as the nonuniform powergeneration distribution increases. Then, JP-A-2007-317553 describesthat, with the above technique, it is possible to reduce the influenceof a temperature increase due to local current concentration within thepower generation plane resulting from a significant nonuniform powergeneration distribution.

However, in the technique described in JP-A-2007-317553, local powergeneration concentration within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly due to a water distribution as described above is notconsidered. In addition, in the technique described in JP-A-2007-317553,the temperature measuring means and the cell voltage detecting means areprovided within the power generation plane of the cell, so there is aproblem that the configuration of the fuel cell is complex or thetemperature measuring means and the cell voltage detecting meansinterfere with gas flowing within the power generation plane.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a fuel cell system and a control method for afuel cell system that suppress local degradation of a membrane electrodeassembly resulting from local power generation concentration within aplane of the membrane electrode assembly due to a water distribution ina polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

The invention is contemplated to solve at least part of the abovedescribed problems, and may be implemented as embodiments describedbelow.

An aspect of the invention provides a fuel cell system that includes: afuel cell that has a membrane electrode assembly in which an anode and acathode are respectively bonded to both surfaces of an electrolytemembrane formed of a solid polymer, a fuel gas flow passage for flowingfuel gas along a surface of the anode and an oxidant gas flow passagefor flowing oxidant gas along a surface of the cathode; a fuel gassupply/exhaust unit that supplies fuel gas to the anode and exhaustsanode offgas, exhausted from the anode, via the fuel gas flow passage;and an oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit that supplies oxidant gas to thecathode and exhaust cathode offgas, exhausted from the cathode, via theoxidant gas flow passage. The fuel cell system includes: a powergeneration concentration determining unit that is configured todetermine whether there is a phenomenon in the fuel cell resulting fromlocal power generation concentration within a plane of the membraneelectrode assembly due to a water distribution, including a watercontent distribution within a plane of the electrolyte membrane, aresidual water distribution in the fuel gas flow passage and a residualwater distribution in the oxidant gas flow passage; and a control unitthat is configured to control at least one of the fuel gassupply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so as toeliminate the phenomenon when the power generation concentrationdetermining unit determines that there is the phenomenon.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, it is possible to suppresslocal degradation of the membrane electrode assembly resulting fromlocal power generation concentration within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly due to a water distribution.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the fuel cell may include a framemember that is provided at an outer peripheral portion of the membraneelectrode assembly; a first temperature sensor that is provided at afirst portion of the frame member and that is used to detect atemperature of the first portion; and a second temperature sensor thatis provided at a second portion of the frame member, which is higher intemperature than the first portion, and that is used to detect atemperature of the second portion, the power generation concentrationdetermining unit may be configured to determine whether a differencebetween the temperature of the second portion and the temperature of thefirst portion is larger than a predetermined threshold, and, when thedifference between the temperature of the second portion and thetemperature of the first portion is larger than the predeterminedthreshold, the control unit may be configured to control at least one ofthe fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unitso that the difference between the temperature of the second portion andthe temperature of the first portion becomes smaller than or equal tothe predetermined threshold.

The membrane electrode assembly generates heat by the electrochemicalreaction between fuel gas and oxidant gas during power generation, andthe generated heat transfers to the frame member. Then, when there is nolocal power generation concentration due to the water distributionwithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly, a nonuniformtemperature distribution within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly is relatively small. Therefore, a nonuniform temperaturedistribution in the frame member is also relatively small. On the otherhand, when there is local power generation concentration due to thewater distribution within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly,generated heat locally increases, so there occurs a relatively largenonuniform temperature distribution within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly. Therefore, there is also a relatively largenonuniform temperature distribution in the frame member.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, when the difference betweenthe temperature of the second portion and the temperature of the firstportion in the frame member is larger than a predetermined threshold, itmay be determined that there is the power generation concentrationwithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly. Thus, it ispossible to determine whether there is the power generationconcentration (whether there is a phenomenon resulting from the powergeneration concentration) through simple computation. Then, it ispossible to eliminate the power generation concentration. In addition,when the threshold is set to a relatively small value, it is possible toavoid the power generation concentration.

In addition, with the thus configured fuel cell system, the firsttemperature sensor and the second temperature sensor are not providedwithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly but provided for theframe member, so, in comparison with the case where the firsttemperature sensor and the second temperature sensor are provided withinthe plane of the membrane electrode assembly, it is possible to preventa complex configuration of the fuel cell, and it is possible to avoidinterference with gas flow on the surfaces of the membrane electrodeassembly.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the control unit may be furtherconfigured to determine a control value for at least the oxidant gassupply/exhaust unit out of the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and theoxidant gas supply/exhaust unit on the basis of a difference between thepredetermined threshold and the difference between the temperature ofthe second portion and the temperature of the first portion.

The control value may be various parameters, such as a flow rate ofoxidant gas supplied to the cathode, a back pressure of cathode offgas,a flow rate of fuel gas supplied to the anode and a duration duringwhich these controls are continued.

As described above, when there is local power generation concentrationdue to the water distribution within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly, generated heat locally increases, so there occurs a relativelylarge nonuniform temperature distribution within the plane of themembrane electrode assembly. Therefore, there is a relatively largenonuniform temperature distribution in the frame member. Furthermore, asthe degree of the power generation concentration increases, a nonuniformtemperature distribution within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly increases.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, as the difference between thetemperature of the second portion and the temperature of the firstportion increases with respect to the predetermined threshold, thedegree of local power generation concentration due to a water contentdistribution within the plane of the electrolyte membrane is estimatedto be larger. Then, the control unit determines a control value for atleast the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit out of the fuel gassupply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so as toeliminate the locally insufficient water content on the basis of thedegree of the power generation concentration, that is, the differencebetween the predetermined threshold and the difference between thetemperature of the second portion and the temperature of the firstportion. Thus, it is possible to more effectively and quickly eliminatethe power generation concentration as compared with when the controlvalue is not set on the basis of the degree of the power generationconcentration but set to a predetermined value. As a result, energyrequired in the control is suppressed, and it is possible to suppress adecrease in energy efficiency in the fuel cell system.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the first portion may be a portionlocated adjacent to a portion from which the oxidant gas is introducedinto the cathode, and the second portion may be a portion locatedadjacent to a portion from which the cathode offgas is exhausted fromthe cathode.

Here, the “portion located adjacent to the portion from which theoxidant gas is introduced into the cathode” may be, for example, aportion within the upstream-side one-quarter range in the flow directionof the oxidant gas. In addition, the “portion located adjacent to theportion from which the cathode offgas is exhausted from the cathode” maybe, for example, a portion within the downstream-side one-quarter rangein the flow direction of the oxidant gas.

Within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly, as a portionapproaches the portion from which the oxidant gas is introduced into thecathode, an insufficient water content tends to easily occur within theplane of the electrolyte membrane; whereas, as a portion approaches theportion from which the cathode offgas is exhausted from the cathode, aninsufficient water content tends to be hard to occur within the plane ofthe electrolyte membrane. Therefore, within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly, as a portion approaches the portion from which theoxidant gas is introduced into the cathode, heat generated during powergeneration reduces and the temperature tends to decrease; whereas, as aportion approaches the portion from which the cathode offgas isexhausted from the cathode, heat generated during power generationincreases and the temperature tends to increase.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, the first portion is theportion located adjacent to the portion at which the temperature easilydecreases within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly, and thesecond portion is the portion located adjacent to the portion at whichthe temperature easily increases within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly, so the temperature difference between the firstportion and the second portion is relatively large. Thus, it is possibleto reduce adverse influence of detection errors of the first and secondtemperature sensors on the determination.

Note that, with the thus configured fuel cell system, the powergeneration concentration determining unit makes the determination on thebasis of the difference between the temperature of the second portionand the temperature of the first portion; instead, for example, thepower generation concentration determining unit may make thedetermination on the basis of the ratio between the temperature of thesecond portion and the temperature of the first portion. By so doing aswell, it is possible to obtain the same advantageous effect as that ofthe above described fuel cell system.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the power generation concentrationdetermining unit may be configured to estimate a water content at apredetermined portion within the plane of the electrolyte membrane onthe basis of an operating condition of the fuel cell and then todetermine whether the water content is smaller than a threshold definedfor each operating condition of the fuel cell, and, when the watercontent is smaller than the threshold, the control unit may beconfigured to control at least the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit outof the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaustunit so that the water content becomes larger than or equal to thethreshold.

Here, the “operating condition of the fuel cell” may be variousparameters, such as a current value output from the fuel cell, a flowrate of fuel gas supplied to the anode, a pressure of fuel gas suppliedto the anode, a flow rate of oxidant gas supplied to the cathode, a backpressure of cathode offgas, a temperature of coolant supplied to thefuel cell and a temperature of coolant exhausted from the fuel cell.This also applies to other application examples described below.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, the water content isestimated, and, when the water content is smaller than the thresholddefined for each operating condition of the fuel cell, it may bedetermined that there is local power generation concentration due to awater content distribution within the plane of the electrolyte membranewithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly. Then, it ispossible to eliminate the power generation concentration. In addition,when the threshold is set to a relatively large value, it is possible toavoid the power generation concentration.

Note that the water content at the predetermined portion within theplane of the electrolyte membrane may be estimated using a function ormap having the above described various parameters in the operatingcondition of the fuel cell as variables.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the control unit may be configuredto determine a control value for at least the oxidant gas supply/exhaustunit out of the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gassupply/exhaust unit on the basis of a difference between the thresholdand the water content.

The control value may be various parameters, such as a flow rate ofoxidant gas supplied to the cathode, a back pressure of cathode offgas,a flow rate of fuel gas supplied to the anode and a duration duringwhich these controls are continued.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, as the water content reduceswith respect to the threshold defined for each operating condition ofthe fuel cell, the degree of local power generation concentration due toa water content distribution within the plane of the electrolytemembrane is estimated to be larger. Then, the control unit determines acontrol value for at least the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit out ofthe fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unitso as to eliminate the locally insufficient water content on the basisof the degree of the power generation concentration, that is, thedifference between the threshold and the water content. Thus, it ispossible to more effectively and quickly eliminate the power generationconcentration as compared with when the control value is not set on thebasis of the degree of the power generation concentration but set to apredetermined value. As a result, energy required in the control issuppressed, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in energyefficiency in the fuel cell system.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the predetermined portion may be aportion of which a water content easily reduces within the plane of theelectrolyte membrane during operation of the fuel cell.

During operation of the fuel cell, at the portion at which the watercontent easily reduces within the plane of the electrolyte membrane, thewater content of the electrolyte membrane easily varies in response tothe operating condition of the fuel cell. The power generationconcentration determining unit estimates the water content at theportion at which the water content easily reduces within the plane ofthe electrolyte membrane, so it is possible to make the determinationwith high sensitivity.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the power generation concentrationdetermining unit may be configured to estimate a distribution of atransfer amount of water that transfers between the anode and thecathode across the electrolyte membrane in a flow direction of theoxidant gas in the cathode on the basis of an operating condition of thefuel cell, and may be configured to determine whether a distance betweena portion from which the cathode offgas is exhausted and a portion atwhich the transfer amount of the water is zero is shorter than apredetermined threshold, and, when the distance between the portion fromwhich the cathode offgas is exhausted and the portion at which thetransfer amount of the water is zero is shorter than the predeterminedthreshold, the control unit may be configured to control at least theoxidant gas supply/exhaust unit out of the fuel gas supply/exhaust unitand the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so that the distance between theportion from which the cathode offgas is exhausted and the portion atwhich the transfer amount of the water is zero becomes longer than orequal to the predetermined threshold.

The inventors repeatedly conducted simulations for estimating adistribution of a transfer amount of water that transfers between theanode and the cathode across the electrolyte membrane in a flowdirection of oxidant gas in the cathode under various operatingconditions of the above described fuel cell and experiments for thepower generation concentration. As a result, the inventors have foundthat, as the distance between the portion from which the cathode offgasis exhausted and the portion at which the transfer amount of the wateris zero reduces, the power generation concentration occurs; whereas, asthe distance between the portion from which the cathode offgas isexhausted and the portion at which the transfer amount of the water iszero increases, the power generation concentration does not occur. Notethat a distribution of the transfer amount of water that transfersbetween the anode and the cathode across the electrolyte membrane may beestimated using a function or map having the above described variousparameters in the operating condition of the fuel cell as variables, asin the case of the estimation of the water content in the abovedescribed fuel cell system.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, when the distance between theportion from which cathode offgas is exhausted and the portion at whichthe transfer amount of water is zero is shorter than a predeterminedthreshold, it may be determined that there is local power generationconcentration due to a water content distribution within the plane ofthe electrolyte membrane within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly. Then, it is possible to eliminate the power generationconcentration. In addition, when the threshold is set to a relativelylarge value, it is possible to avoid the power generation concentration.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the control unit may be configuredto determine a control value for at least the oxidant gas supply/exhaustunit out of the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gassupply/exhaust unit on the basis of a difference between thepredetermined threshold and the distance between the portion from whichthe cathode offgas is exhausted and the portion at which the transferamount of the water is zero.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, as the distance between theportion from which the cathode offgas is exhausted and the portion atwhich the transfer amount of water is zero reduces with respect to thepredetermined threshold, the degree of local power generationconcentration due to a water content distribution within the plane ofthe electrolyte membrane is estimated to be larger. Then, the controlunit determines a control value for at least the oxidant gassupply/exhaust unit out of the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and theoxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so as to eliminate the locallyinsufficient water content on the basis of the degree of the powergeneration concentration, that is, the difference between thepredetermined threshold and the distance between the portion from whichthe cathode offgas is exhausted and the portion at which the transferamount of water is zero. Thus, it is possible to more effectively andquickly eliminate the power generation concentration as compared withwhen the control value is not set on the basis of the degree of thepower generation concentration but set to a predetermined value. As aresult, energy required in the control is suppressed, and it is possibleto suppress a decrease in energy efficiency in the fuel cell system.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the power generation concentrationdetermining unit may be configured to estimate a distribution of atransfer amount of water that transfers between the anode and thecathode across the electrolyte membrane in a flow direction of theoxidant gas in the cathode on the basis of an operating condition of thefuel cell, may be configured to obtain a function that expresses thedistribution of the transfer amount of the water and may be configuredto determine whether the function has a point of inflection, and, whenthe function has a point of inflection, the control unit may beconfigured to control at least the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit outof the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaustunit so as to eliminate the point of inflection.

The inventors repeatedly conducted simulations for estimating adistribution of a transfer amount of water that transfers between theanode and the cathode across the electrolyte membrane in a flowdirection of oxidant gas in the cathode under various operatingconditions of the above described fuel cell and experiments for thepower generation concentration. As a result, the inventors have foundthat there is the power generation concentration when the function thatexpresses the distribution of the transfer amount of the water has apoint of inflection; whereas there is no power generation concentrationwhen the function has no point of inflection. Note that a distributionof the transfer amount of water that transfers between the anode and thecathode across the electrolyte membrane may be estimated using afunction or map having the above described various parameters in theoperating condition of the fuel cell as variables.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, when the function thatexpresses the distribution of the transfer amount of the water has apoint of inflection, it may be determined that there is local powergeneration concentration due to a water content distribution within theplane of the electrolyte membrane within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly. Then, it is possible to eliminate the powergeneration concentration.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the power generation concentrationdetermining unit may be configured to obtain a peak current within theplane of the membrane electrode assembly on the basis of an operatingcondition of the fuel cell, and may be configured to determine whetherthe peak current is larger than a threshold defined for each operatingcondition of the fuel cell, and, when the peak current is larger thanthe threshold, the control unit may be configured to control at leastone of the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gassupply/exhaust unit so that the peak current becomes smaller than orequal to the threshold.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, when the peak current withinthe plane of the membrane electrode assembly is larger than thepredetermined threshold, it may be determined that there is local powergeneration concentration due to the water distribution within the planeof the membrane electrode assembly. Then, it is possible to eliminatethe power generation concentration. In addition, when the threshold isset to a relatively small value, it is possible to avoid the powergeneration concentration.

Note that the peak current within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly may be, for example, estimated using a function or map havingthe above described various parameters in the operating condition of thefuel cell as variables.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the power generation concentrationdetermining unit may be configured to obtain a standard deviation of acurrent density distribution within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly on the basis of an operating condition of the fuel cell, andmay be configured to determine whether the standard deviation is largerthan a predetermined threshold, and, when the standard deviation islarger than the predetermined threshold, the control unit may beconfigured to control at least one of the fuel gas supply/exhaust unitand the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so that the standard deviationbecomes smaller than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, when the standard deviationof a current density distribution within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly is larger than the predetermined threshold, it may bedetermined that there is local power generation concentration due to thewater distribution within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly.Then, it is possible to eliminate the power generation concentration. Inaddition, when the threshold is set to a relatively small value, it ispossible to avoid the power generation concentration.

Note that the current density within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly may be estimated using a function or map having the abovedescribed various parameters in the operating condition of the fuel cellas variables.

When there is local power generation concentration due to the waterdistribution within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly, theeffective power generation area reduces, so the output power of the fuelcell mostly decreases below a desired output power. Thus, each of theabove described fuel cell systems may further include an output powerdetecting unit that is configured to detect the output power of the fuelcell to cause the power generation concentration determining unit tomake determination in consideration of a decrease in the output power ofthe fuel cell. In addition, when there is local power generationconcentration due to the water distribution within the plane of themembrane electrode assembly, the impedance of the fuel cell increaseswith respect to a desired value or steeply varies in a short period oftime. Thus, each of the above described fuel cell systems may furtherinclude an impedance detecting unit that is configured to detect theimpedance of the fuel cell to cause the power generation concentrationdetermining unit to make determination in consideration of the impedanceof the fuel cell.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, the power generation concentrationdetermining unit may be further configured to estimate the waterdistribution on the basis of an operating condition of the fuel cell,and may be configured to determine on the basis of the estimated waterdistribution whether a cause of the power generation concentration is alocally insufficient water content in the electrolyte membrane, alocally excessive amount of residual water in the fuel gas flow passageor a locally excessive amount of residual water in the oxidant gas flowpassage, and the control unit may be configured to control at least oneof the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaustunit on the basis of the determined cause of the power generationconcentration.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, the power generationconcentration determining unit determines the cause of local powergeneration concentration due to the water distribution on the basis ofthe operating condition of the above described fuel cell, so the controlunit is able to appropriately control at least one of the fuel gassupply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so as toeliminate the power generation concentration on the basis of thedetermined cause of the power generation concentration.

Note that the water content, including a water content distributionwithin the plane of the electrolyte membrane, a residual waterdistribution in the fuel gas flow passage and a residual waterdistribution in the oxidant gas flow passage, may be estimated using afunction or map having the above described various parameters in theoperating condition of the fuel cell as variables.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, when it is determined that thecause of the power generation concentration is a locally insufficientwater content in the electrolyte membrane, the control unit may beconfigured to control the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so as toreduce a flow rate of the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, evaporation of water from theelectrolyte membrane is suppressed to thereby make it possible toeliminate local power generation concentration due to a locallyinsufficient water content in the electrolyte membrane.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, when it is determined that thecause of the power generation concentration is a locally insufficientwater content in the electrolyte membrane, the control unit may beconfigured to control the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so as toincrease a back pressure of the cathode offgas.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, evaporation of water from theelectrolyte membrane is suppressed to thereby make it possible toeliminate local power generation concentration due to a locallyinsufficient water content in the electrolyte membrane.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, when it is determined that thecause of the power generation concentration is a locally insufficientwater content in the electrolyte membrane, the control unit may beconfigured to control the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit so as to increasea flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the anode.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, the power generation amountin the membrane electrode assembly is increased to increase the amountof produced water to thereby make it possible to eliminate local powergeneration concentration due to the locally insufficient water contentin the electrolyte membrane.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, when it is determined that thecause of the power generation concentration is a locally excessiveamount of residual water in the fuel gas flow passage, the control unitmay be configured to control the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit so as toincrease a flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the anode.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, liquid water locallyremaining in the fuel gas flow passage is drained outside the fuel cellto thereby make it possible to eliminate local power generationconcentration due to the locally excessive amount of residual water inthe fuel gas flow passage.

In addition, in the fuel cell system, when it is determined that thecause of the power generation concentration is a locally excessiveamount of residual water in the oxidant gas flow passage, the controlunit may be configured to control the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit soas to increase a flow rate of the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode.

With the thus configured fuel cell system, liquid water locallyremaining in the oxidant gas flow passage is drained outside the fuelcell to thereby make it possible to eliminate local power generationconcentration due to the locally excessive amount of residual water inthe oxidant gas flow passage.

Furthermore, in the fuel cell system, when it is determined that thecause of the power generation concentration is a locally excessiveamount of residual water in the oxidant gas flow passage, the controlunit may be configured to control the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit soas to reduce a back pressure of the cathode offgas.

With the thus configured fuel cell system as well, liquid water locallyremaining in the oxidant gas flow passage is drained outside the fuelcell to thereby make it possible to eliminate local power generationconcentration due to the locally excessive amount of residual water inthe oxidant gas flow passage.

The aspect of the invention does not need to include all of the abovedescribed various features, but it may be configured by omitting part ofthe features or appropriately combine some of the features. In addition,the aspect of the invention may be configured as an aspect of theinvention of a control method for a fuel cell system in addition to theconfiguration of the above described fuel cell system. In addition, theaspect of the invention may be implemented in various forms, such as acomputer program that implements those features, a recording medium thatrecords the program and a data signal that includes the program and thatis implemented in a carrier wave. Note that, in each of the aspects,various additional elements described above may be applied.

When the aspect of the invention is implemented as a computer program, arecording medium in which the computer program is recorded, or the like,it may be implemented as the entire program that controls the operationof the fuel cell system or may be implemented as only part of theprogram that achieves the function of the invention. In addition, therecording medium may be various computer-readable media, such as aflexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card,a ROM cartridge, a punched card, print on which code such as bar code isprinted, an internal storage device (memory such as a RAM and a ROM) andexternal storage device of a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denotelike elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view that illustrates the schematic configuration of a fuelcell system according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views that illustrate an example of powergeneration concentration that occurs in a membrane electrode assemblythat is a component of a fuel cell stack according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view that illustrates a frame member provided at an outerperipheral portion of the membrane electrode assembly;

FIG. 4 is a graph that illustrates the correlation between a differencebetween temperatures that are respectively detected by two temperaturesensors provided at the frame member and a current density in a regionof the membrane electrode assembly, indicated by hatching in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem 100 according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a graph that shows a method of determining the back pressureof cathode offgas in drying suppression control executed in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in a fuel cell systemaccording to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a graph that illustrates the correlation between a watercontent and power generation amount of an electrolyte membrane undervarious operating conditions of a fuel cell stack according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a graph that illustrates a method of determining the backpressure of cathode offgas in drying suppression control executed in thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in a fuel cell systemaccording to a third embodiment;

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are graphs that illustrate the correlation betweenan anode-cathode water transfer amount distribution within the plane ofa membrane electrode assembly and local power generation concentrationaccording to the third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a graph that illustrates a method of determining the backpressure of cathode offgas in drying suppression control executed in thethird embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in a fuel cell systemaccording to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are graphs that illustrate the correlation betweenan anode-cathode water transfer amount distribution within the plane ofa membrane electrode assembly and local power generation concentrationaccording to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in a fuel cell systemaccording to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a graph that shows the correlation between the back pressureof cathode offgas and a peak current under various operating conditionsof a fuel cell stack according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in a fuel cell systemaccording to a sixth embodiment; and

FIG. 18 is a graph that illustrates the correlation between the backpressure of anode offgas and a standard deviation of a current densitydistribution under various operating conditions of a fuel cell stackaccording to the sixth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described withreference to specific embodiments. A first embodiment will be described.FIG. 1 is a view that illustrates the schematic configuration of a fuelcell system 100 according to the first embodiment of the invention. Inthe fuel cell system 100, a fuel cell (FC) stack 10 has a plurality ofstacked cells that generate electric power by the electrochemicalreaction between hydrogen (fuel gas) and oxygen (oxidant gas). Each cellincludes a membrane electrode assembly, a fuel gas flow passage, anoxidant gas flow passage and a coolant flow passage (not shown). Themembrane electrode assembly is formed so that an anode and a cathode arebonded to both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane having protonconductivity. The fuel gas flow passage is used to flow hydrogen alongthe surface of the anode. The oxidant gas flow passage is used to flowair along the surface of the cathode. The coolant flow passage is usedto flow coolant. In the first embodiment, a polymer electrolytemembrane, such as Nafion (trademark; ion exchange membrane), is used asthe electrolyte membrane.

Hydrogen, which serves as fuel gas, is supplied from a hydrogen tank 20that stores high-pressure hydrogen to the anode of the fuel cell stack10 via a hydrogen supply line 24. Instead of the hydrogen tank 20, forexample, a hydrogen producing device that produces hydrogen by areforming reaction that uses alcohol, hydrocarbon, aldehyde, or thelike, as a raw material may be used.

High-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 20 is adjusted inpressure and supplied amount by a shut valve 21, a regulator valve 22,an injector 23, and the like, and is supplied to the anodes of the fuelcell stack 10. The shut valve 21 is provided at the outlet of thehydrogen tank 20. Note that a pressure sensor 24P is arranged in thehydrogen supply line 24, and is used to detect the pressure in thehydrogen supply line 24.

Then, exhaust gas from the anodes (hereinafter, referred to as anodeoffgas) is exhausted to an anode offgas exhaust line 25. Anode offgasthat is exhausted to the anode offgas exhaust line 25 and that includeshydrogen not consumed in power generation may be recirculated to thehydrogen supply line 24 via a circulation line 26. Note that thepressure of anode offgas is relatively low as a result that hydrogen isconsumed through power generation in the fuel cell stack 10. Therefore,a hydrogen circulation pump 27 is arranged in the circulation line 26,and is used to pressurize anode offgas when anode offgas isrecirculated. A flow rate sensor 27F is provided for the hydrogencirculation pump 27, and is used to detect the circulation flow rate ofanode offgas. A line 28 is branched from the anode offgas exhaust line25, and a purge valve 29 is arranged in the line 28. While the purgevalve 29 is closed, anode offgas that includes hydrogen not consumed inpower generation is recirculated to the fuel cell stack 10 via thecirculation line 26. By so doing, hydrogen may be effectively utilized.

During recirculation of anode offgas, hydrogen is consumed in powergeneration, while impurities other than hydrogen, such as nitrogen thatpermeates from the cathodes to the anodes via the electrolyte membranes,remain and are not consumed, so the concentration of impurities in anodeoffgas gradually increases. At this time, when the purge valve 29 isopened, anode offgas is exhausted outside the fuel cell system 100together with cathode offgas (described later) via the lines 28 and 40.By so doing, the concentration of impurities in anode offgas may bereduced.

The hydrogen tank 20, the shut valve 21, the regulator valve 22, theinjector 23, the hydrogen supply line 24, the pressure sensor 24P, theanode offgas exhaust line 25, the circulation line 26, the hydrogencirculation pump 27, the flow rate sensor 27F, the line 28, the purgevalve 29 and the line 40 constitute one example of a fuel gassupply/exhaust unit.

Compressed air, which serves as oxidant gas containing oxygen, issupplied to the cathodes of the fuel cell stack 10. Air is taken in froman air cleaner 30, compressed by an air compressor 31, introduced into ahumidification device 33 via a line 32, humidified by the humidificationdevice 33, and then supplied from an air supply line 34 to the cathodesof the fuel cell stack 10. A flow rate sensor 31F is provided for theair compressor 31, and is used to detect the flow rate of air supplied.

Exhaust gas from the cathodes (hereinafter, referred to as cathodeoffgas) flows out to a line 35. A pressure sensor 35P and a pressureregulating valve 36 are arranged in the line 35. The pressure sensor 35Pis used to detect the back pressure of cathode offgas. The pressureregulating valve 36 is used to regulate the back pressure of cathodeoffgas. High-humidity cathode offgas flowing out from the fuel cellsystem 100 to the line 35 is introduced into the humidification device33, utilized to humidify air and then exhausted outside the fuel cellsystem 100 via a line 37 and the line 40.

The air cleaner 30, the air compressor 31, the flow rate sensor 31F, theline 32, the humidification device 33, the air supply line 34, the line35, the pressure sensor 35P, the pressure regulating valve 36, the line37 and the line 40 constitute one example of an oxidant gassupply/exhaust unit.

The fuel cell stack 10 generates heat by the above describedelectrochemical reaction. Therefore, in order to keep the temperature ofthe fuel cell stack 10 at a temperature appropriate for powergeneration, coolant is also supplied to the fuel cell stack 10. Thecoolant, pumped by a water pump 51, flows through a coolant line 52 andis cooled by a radiator 50. The cooled coolant is supplied to the fuelcell stack 10. As shown in the drawing, a bypass line 53 for circulatingcoolant without passing through the radiator 50 is connected to the line52, and, in addition, a rotary valve 54 is arranged at one of connectingportions between the line 52 and the bypass line 53. By switching therotary valve 54, coolant may be circulated via the line 52 and thebypass line 53 without passing through the radiator 50. Note that, asshown in the drawing, a temperature sensor 55 is arranged in the line 52at a portion upstream of the radiator 50 in the flow direction ofcoolant, and is used to detect the temperature of coolant drained fromthe fuel cell stack 10. In addition, a temperature sensor 56 is arrangedin the line 52 at a portion downstream of the water pump 51 in the flowdirection of coolant, and is used to detect the temperature of coolantsupplied to the fuel cell stack 10.

In addition, a cell monitor 60 is connected to the fuel cell stack 10.The cell monitor 60 detects the voltage, current, impedance, and thelike, of each cell in the fuel cell stack 10.

The operation of the fuel cell system 100 is controlled by a controlunit 70. The control unit 70 is formed of a microcomputer that includesa CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, inside, and controls the operation ofthe system in accordance with programs stored in the ROM. The ROM alsostores various maps, thresholds, and the like, used in control over thefuel cell system 100 in addition to the above programs. Specifically,the control unit 70, for example, controls the operation of the system,including power generation concentration suppressing control process(described later), such as actuation of various valves, hydrogencirculation pump 27, water pump 51 and air compressor 31, on the basisof an output power required of the fuel cell stack 10, outputs ofvarious sensors, and the like. The control unit 70 constitutes oneexample of a power generation concentration determining unit and oneexample of a control unit.

In the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment, asdescribed above, the fuel cell stack 10 includes membrane electrodeassemblies that use a polymer electrolyte membrane as an electrolytemembrane, so, in order to obtain desired power generation performance,it is necessary to keep the electrolyte membranes at an appropriate wetstate to appropriately maintain the proton conductivity of eachelectrolyte membrane. However, during power generation, there may occura nonuniform water content distribution (nonuniform distribution of wetstate) within the plane of each electrolyte membrane, and the nonuniformwater content distribution may cause a nonuniform power generationdistribution. Then, when there is a locally insufficient water contentwithin the plane of any one of the electrolyte membranes, local powergeneration concentration occurs in another region where there is noinsufficient water content to thereby lead to local degradation of acorresponding one of the membrane electrode assemblies.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views that illustrate an example of powergeneration concentration that occurs in a membrane electrode assembly.FIG. 2A shows the shape of a membrane electrode assembly 12 in the fuelcell stack 10 according to the first embodiment, the flow directions ofhydrogen and air on the surface of the membrane electrode assembly 12,the flow direction of coolant in the cell, and the like. In addition,FIG. 2B shows a power generation distribution in the flow directions ofhydrogen and air in the membrane electrode assembly 12 and a state ofpower generation concentration.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in the first embodiment, the membrane electrodeassembly 12 has a rectangular shape. Then, on the surface of themembrane electrode assembly 12, a fuel gas flow passage and an oxidantgas flow passage are provided so that hydrogen and air flow in oppositedirections along the short side of the membrane electrode assembly 12.In the above membrane electrode assembly 12, a portion of theelectrolyte membrane is easier to dry as the portion approaches theupstream side in the flow direction of air; whereas a portion of theelectrolyte membrane is harder to dry as the portion approaches thedownstream side. In other words, within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly 12, the water content of a portion of the electrolytemembrane reduces as the portion approaches the upstream side in the flowdirection of air, and the water content of a portion of the electrolytemembrane increases as the portion approaches the downstream side. Inaddition, in the first embodiment, the flow direction of coolant in thecell is set in a direction along the long side of the membrane electrodeassembly 12. Then, a portion of the electrolyte membrane is harder todry as the portion approaches the upstream side in the flow direction ofcoolant, and a portion of the electrolyte membrane more easily dries asit approaches the downstream side. That is, the water content of aportion of the electrolyte membrane increases as the portion approachesthe upstream side in the flow direction of coolant, and the watercontent of a portion of the electrolyte membrane reduces as the portionapproaches the downstream side.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, in the membrane electrode assembly 12,because of a water content distribution within the plane of theelectrolyte, the amount of power generation reduces as a portion of theelectrolyte approaches the upstream side in the flow direction of air,and the amount of power generation increases as a portion of theelectrolyte approaches the downstream side. Furthermore, when an outputpower required of the fuel cell stack 10 increases, that is, when therequired output power changes from a low load state (“a”) where therequired output power is relatively low to a high load state (“□”) wherethe required output power is relatively high, an increase in the amountof power generation is relatively small at the upstream side in the flowdirection of air where the water content of the electrolyte membrane isrelatively small within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12;whereas an increase in the amount of power generation is relativelylarge at the downstream side in the flow direction of air where thewater content of the electrolyte membrane is relatively large. That is,within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12, there occurslocal power generation concentration due to a water content distributionwithin the plane of the electrolyte membrane.

Although not shown in the drawing or described in details, in the fuelgas flow passage or the oxidant gas flow passage provided on thesurfaces of the membrane electrode assembly 12, for example, there mayoccur a nonuniform residual water distribution that is formed becausewater produced during power generation remains as liquid, and theresidual water distribution may also cause a nonuniform power generationdistribution. Then, when there occurs a locally excessive amount ofresidual water in the fuel gas flow passage or in the oxidant gas flowpassage, hydrogen supplied to part of region of the anode becomesinsufficient or air supplied to part of region of the cathode becomesinsufficient, so power generation locally concentrates in another regionwhere supplied hydrogen is not insufficient or supplied air is notinsufficient to thereby lead to local degradation of the membraneelectrode assembly 12. That is, local power generation concentration dueto a water distribution (the above described water content distributionand residual water distribution) within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly leads to local degradation of the membrane electrodeassembly.

Then, in the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment, theCPU of the control unit 70 executes power generation concentrationsuppressing control process for suppressing local power generationconcentration due to the above described water distribution in parallelwith normal operation control in response to an output power required ofthe fuel cell stack 10.

Hereinafter, the power generation concentration suppressing controlprocess executed in the fuel cell system 100 will be described withreference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 6.

FIG. 3 is a view that illustrates a frame member 14 provided at theouter peripheral portion of the membrane electrode assembly 12. Notethat through-holes formed in the frame member 14 for flowing hydrogen,anode offgas, air, cathode offgas and coolant in the cell stackingdirection in the fuel cell stack 10 are not shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in the drawing, in the frame member 14, a temperature sensor 14a is provided at a portion adjacent to a portion from which air isintroduced into the cathode of the membrane electrode assembly 12 at theoutlet side of coolant, and is used to detect the temperature T1 of thatportion. In addition, in the frame member 14, a temperature sensor 14 bis provided at a portion adjacent to a portion from which cathode offgasis exhausted from the cathode of the membrane electrode assembly 12 atthe outlet side of coolant, and is used to detect the temperature T2 ofthat portion. During power generation, within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly 12, the temperature is higher in the downstreamregion than the upstream region in the flow direction of air because ofgenerated heat. Then, heat generated by the membrane electrode assembly12 transfers to the frame member 14. Thus, the temperature T2 detectedby the temperature sensor 14 b is higher than the temperature T1detected by the temperature sensor 14 a.

The portion of the frame member 14, at which the temperature sensor 14 ais provided, is also referred to as first portion. In addition, theportion of the frame member 14, at which the temperature sensor 14 b isprovided, is also referred to as second portion. In addition, thetemperature sensor 14 a is also referred to as first temperature sensor.In addition, the temperature sensor 14 b is also referred to as secondtemperature sensor.

FIG. 4 is a graph that illustrates the correlation between a difference(T2−T1) between the temperature T2 and the temperature T1 that arerespectively detected by the two temperature sensors 14 b and 14 aprovided for the frame member 14 and the current density in the region Rof the membrane electrode assembly 12, indicated by hatching in FIG. 3.Note that the region R of the membrane electrode assembly 12 is a regionin which the water content of the electrolyte membrane easily reducesthe most within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 (seeFIG. 2A). In FIG. 4, for the above correlation, actually measuredresults are indicated by circle and results calculated throughsimulation are indicated by solid line.

It has been found from FIG. 4 that the current density in the region Rof the membrane electrode assembly 12 reduces as the temperaturedifference T2−T1 increases. Although not shown in the drawing, it hasbeen found that the current density in a region, other than the regionR, of the membrane electrode assembly 12 increases as the temperaturedifference T2−T1 increases. Then, in the first embodiment, on the basisof the above described findings, when the temperature difference T2−T1is higher than a threshold Tth at which the current density in theregion R of the membrane electrode assembly 12 is a threshold Jth, it isdetermined that there is local power generation concentration due to alocally insufficient water content within the plane of the electrolytemembrane within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12. Inaddition, the degree of power generation concentration is determined tobe larger within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 as thetemperature difference T2−T1 increases with respect to the thresholdTth.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem 100 according to the first embodiment. As the power generationconcentration suppressing control process is started, the CPU initiallyexecutes water distribution estimating process (step S100). The waterdistribution estimating process is to estimate a water contentdistribution within the plane of the electrolyte membrane of themembrane electrode assembly 12, a residual water distribution in thefuel gas flow passage and a residual water distribution in the oxidantgas flow passage.

Here, the outline of the water distribution estimating process accordingto the first embodiment will be described. Note that the details of thewater distribution estimating process described below is described inInternational Application No. PCT/JP2008/73782.

Initially, the CPU loads the operating condition of the fuel cell stack10, specifically, the current values detected by the cell monitor 60,the temperature of coolant (hereinafter, also referred to as coolantinlet temperature) detected by the temperature sensor 56, thetemperature of coolant (hereinafter, also referred to as coolant outlettemperature) detected by the temperature sensor 55, the flow rate ofsupplied air (hereinafter, also referred to as air flow rate) detectedby the flow rate sensor 31F, the flow rate of supplied hydrogen(hereinafter, also referred to as hydrogen flow rate) in considerationof the anode offgas circulation flow rate detected by the flow ratesensor 27F, the back pressure of cathode offgas (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as air back pressure) detected by the pressure sensor 35Pand the pressure in the hydrogen supply line 24 (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as hydrogen pressure) detected by the pressure sensor 24P(first step).

Subsequently, the CPU respectively calculates a cathode inlet dew pointand an anode inlet dew point from the coolant inlet temperature and thecoolant outlet temperature (second step). Note that the cathode inletdew point and the anode inlet dew point may be detected using adew-point hygrometer instead.

After that, the CPU obtains a water transfer rate V_(H2O,CA→AN), whichis the transfer rate of water that transfers from the cathode to theanode via the electrolyte membrane within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly 12 (third step). The water transfer rateV_(H2O,CA→AN) is calculated using the following mathematical expression(1).

V _(H2O,CA→AN) =D _(H2O)×(P _(H2O,CA) −P _(H2O,AN))  (1)

Here, P_(H2O,CA) is a water vapor partial pressure at the cathode of themembrane electrode assembly 12, and is calculated using the cathodeinlet dew point. In addition, P_(H2O,AN) is a water vapor partialpressure at the anode of the membrane electrode assembly 12, and iscalculated using the anode inlet dew point. In addition, D_(H2O) is awater diffusion coefficient in the electrolyte membrane of the membraneelectrode assembly 12.

Then, the CPU calculates the current density at each of divided in-planeregions of the membrane electrode assembly 12 from the water transferrate, the cathode inlet dew point, the anode inlet dew point, thecoolant outlet temperature, the air back pressure, the hydrogenpressure, the air flow rate, the hydrogen flow rate and the currentvalue using a function or a map (fourth step). In addition, the CPUcalculates a current distribution and relative humidity distributionwithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 from the cathodeinlet dew point, the anode inlet dew point, the coolant outlettemperature, the air back pressure, the hydrogen pressure, the air flowrate, the hydrogen flow rate and the water transfer rate using afunction or a map (fourth step).

Subsequently, for each of the anode and cathode of the membraneelectrode assembly 12, the CPU calculates a supersaturation degree σ₁(degree to which the relative humidity exceeds 100%) and an unsaturationdegree σ₂ (degree to which the relative humidity falls below 100%) fromthe above described relative humidity distribution and then calculates aliquid water production rate V_(vap→liq) that is the rate at which vaporchanges to water and a liquid water evaporation rate V_(liq→vap) that isthe rate at which water changes to vapor respectively using thefollowing mathematical expressions (2) and (3) (fifth step). This isbecause, in consideration of a change of the phase of water (gaseousphase, liquid phase) in the fuel gas flow passage and the oxidant gasflow passage, the liquid water production rate V_(vap→liq) and theliquid water evaporation rate V_(liq→vap) in each of the fuel gas flowpassage and the oxidant gas flow passage are calculated.

V _(vap→liq) =k ₁×σ₁  (2)

V _(liq→vap) =k ₂×σ₂  (3)

Here, coefficients k₁ and k₂ are factors based on temperature and waterrepellency, and are derived from the physical properties of the reactiongas flow passages. The coefficients k₁ and k₂ are mapped in advancethrough an experiment.

After that, the CPU calculates a water transfer rate V_liq in the fuelgas flow passage and the oxidant gas flow passage using the followingmathematical expression (4) for each of the anode and cathode of themembrane electrode assembly 12 (sixth step). Water is blown off andexhausted from the inside of the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly 12 by the flow of gas in the fuel gas flow passage and theoxidant gas flow passage, so the water transfer rate V_liq is calculatedin each of the fuel gas flow passage and the oxidant gas flow passage inconsideration of the above fact.

V_liq=k ₃ ×V_gas  (4)

Here, the water transfer rate V_liq is the transfer rate of water thatis blown off by gas. In addition, V_gas is a vapor flow rate in the fuelgas flow passage or in the oxidant gas flow passage, and is calculatedfrom a map associated with a state quantity, such as the flow rate ofsupplied gas and a vapor partial pressure. The coefficient k₃ is afactor based on temperature and water repellency, and is derived fromthe physical property of the fuel gas flow passage or oxidant gas flowpassage. k₃ is mapped in advance by an experiment.

Through the above described fourth step to sixth step, a residual waterdistribution in the fuel gas flow passage and a residual waterdistribution in the oxidant gas flow passage may be estimated. Inaddition, from the above described fourth step, a water contentdistribution within the plane of the electrolyte membrane of themembrane electrode assembly 12 may be estimated.

After the water distribution estimating process (step S100), the CPUdetermines the state of water distribution (step S110). That is, the CPUdetermines whether the residual water in the fuel gas flow passage isexcessive to a degree such that local power generation concentrationoccurs (excessive amount of residual water in the fuel gas flowpassage), the residual water in the oxidant gas flow passage isexcessive to a degree such that local power generation concentrationoccurs (excessive amount of residual water in the oxidant gas flowpassage), the water content within the plane of the electrolyte membraneof the membrane electrode assembly 12 is locally insufficient(insufficient water content of the electrolyte membrane), or not. Notethat the determination reference for an excessive amount of residualwater in the fuel gas flow passage and the determination reference foran excessive amount of residual water in the oxidant gas flow passageare, for example, empirically defined.

Then, in step S110, when the CPU determines that the state of a waterdistribution is not an excessive amount of residual water in the fuelgas flow passage, an excessive amount of residual water in the oxidantgas flow passage or an insufficient water content in the electrolytemembrane, the CPU recognizes that there is no local power generationconcentration due to a water distribution within the plane of themembrane electrode assembly 12, and returns the process to step S100.

In addition, in step S110, when the CPU determines that the state of awater distribution is an excessive amount of residual water in the fuelgas flow passage, the CPU executes fuel gas flow passage water draincontrol (step S120). In the first embodiment, in the fuel gas flowpassage water drain control, the rotational speed of the hydrogencirculation pump 27 is increased for a predetermined period of time. Byso doing, liquid water locally remaining in the fuel gas flow passage isdrained outside the fuel cell stack 10 to thereby make it possible toeliminate local power generation concentration due to the locallyexcessive amount of residual water in the fuel gas flow passage. Notethat, after step S120, the CPU returns the process to step S100.

In addition, in step S110, when the CPU determines that the state of awater distribution is an excessive amount of residual water in theoxidant gas flow passage, the CPU executes oxidant gas flow passagewater drain control (step S130). In the first embodiment, in the oxidantgas flow passage water drain control, for a predetermined period oftime, the rotational speed of the air compressor 31 is increased, andthe opening degree of the pressure regulating valve 36 is increased todecrease the back pressure of cathode offgas. By so doing, liquid waterlocally remaining in the oxidant gas flow passage is drained outside thefuel cell stack 10 to thereby make it possible to eliminate local powergeneration concentration due to the locally excessive amount of residualwater in the oxidant gas flow passage. Note that, after step S130, theCPU returns the process to step S100.

In addition, in step S110, when the CPU determines that the state of awater distribution is an insufficient water content in the electrolytemembrane, the CPU acquires the temperature T1 detected by thetemperature sensor 14 a and the temperature T2 detected by thetemperature sensor 14 b, and loads the threshold Tth from the ROM (stepS140) to calculate (T2−T1)−Tth (step S150). Then, the CPU determineswhether (T2−T1)−Tth is larger than 0 (step S160). When (T2−T1)−Tth issmaller than or equal to 0 (NO in step S160), the CPU recognizes thatthere is no local power generation concentration due to a locallyinsufficient water content within the plane of the electrolyte membraneof the membrane electrode assembly 12, and returns the process to stepS100. On the other hand, when (T2−T1)−Tth is larger than 0 (YES in stepS160), the CPU recognizes that there is the above power generationconcentration within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12,and executes drying suppression control (step S170). In the firstembodiment, in the drying suppression control, the opening degree of thepressure regulating valve 36 is decreased to increase the back pressureof cathode offgas during a predetermined period of time. By so doing,evaporation of water from the electrolyte membrane of the membraneelectrode assembly 12 is suppressed to thereby make it possible toeliminate local power generation concentration due to a locallyinsufficient water content in the electrolyte membrane. In addition, inthe drying suppression control, the rotational speed of the aircompressor 31 may be decreased to reduce the flow rate of air suppliedto the fuel cell stack 10 or the rotational speed of the hydrogencirculation pump 27 may be increased to increase the flow rate ofhydrogen supplied to the fuel cell stack 10. Note that, after step S170,the CPU returns the process to step S100.

FIG. 6 is a graph that illustrates a method of determining the backpressure of cathode offgas in drying suppression control. As describedwith reference to FIG. 4 above, as the temperature difference T2−T1increases with respect to the threshold Tth, the degree of local powergeneration concentration due to a locally insufficient water contentwithin the plane of the electrolyte membrane may be determined to belarger. Then, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, as thetemperature difference T2−T1 increases with respect to the thresholdTth, the opening degree of the pressure regulating valve 36 is decreasedto increase the back pressure of cathode offgas. By so doing, it ispossible to efficiently and quickly eliminate the power generationconcentration. As a result, energy required in the control issuppressed, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in energyefficiency in the fuel cell system 100.

With the thus described fuel cell system 100 according to the firstembodiment, in the fuel cell stack 10 (polymer electrolyte fuel cell),it is possible to suppress local degradation of each membrane electrodeassembly 12 caused by local power generation concentration within theplane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 due to a water distribution.

In addition, in the fuel cell system 100 according to the firstembodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the temperature sensors 14 a and 14 bare provided not within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12but on the frame member 14, so, in comparison with the case where thetemperature sensors 14 a and 14 b are provided within the plane of themembrane electrode assembly 12, it is possible to prevent a complexconfiguration of the fuel cell stack 10, and it is possible to avoidinterference with gas flow on the surfaces of the membrane electrodeassembly 12.

In addition, the temperature sensor 14 a is provided at a portionadjacent to a portion from which air is introduced into the cathode ofthe membrane electrode assembly 12, that is, a portion at which thetemperature easily decreases, in the frame member 14, and thetemperature sensor 14 b is provided at a portion adjacent to a portionfrom which cathode offgas is exhausted from the cathode of the membraneelectrode assembly 12, that is, a portion at which the temperatureeasily increases, in the frame member 14, so the difference between thetemperature detected by the temperature sensor 14 a and the temperaturedetected by the temperature sensor 14 b is relatively large. Thus, it ispossible to reduce adverse influence of detection errors of thetemperature sensors 14 a and 14 b on the determination.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The configuration of a fuelcell system according to the second embodiment is the same as theconfiguration of the fuel cell system 100 according to the firstembodiment except that the temperature sensors 14 a and 14 b are notprovided for the frame member 14 shown in FIG. 3. Then, in the fuel cellsystem according to the second embodiment, power generationconcentration suppressing control process is different from the powergeneration concentration suppressing control process in the firstembodiment. Hereinafter, the power generation concentration suppressingcontrol process executed in the fuel cell system according to the secondembodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem according to the second embodiment. This process is executed bythe CPU of the control unit 70 in parallel with normal operation controlin response to an output power required of the fuel cell stack 10.

When the power generation concentration suppressing control process isstarted, the CPU initially loads the operating condition of the fuelcell stack 10, and executes water content estimating process (stepS200). The water content estimating process is to estimate the watercontent of the electrolyte membrane at a predetermined portion of themembrane electrode assembly 12. In the second embodiment, the watercontent in the region R of the membrane electrode assembly 12 shown inFIG. 3 is estimated. The region R, here means a region in which thewater content most easily reduces within the plane of the electrolytemembrane. Note that the water content estimating process is part of thewater distribution estimating process according to the above describedfirst embodiment, so the detailed description of the water contentestimating process is omitted here.

Here, the correlation between the water content of the electrolytemembrane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 and local powergeneration concentration within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly 12 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a graph that illustrates the correlation between the watercontent and power generation amount of the electrolyte membrane undervarious operating conditions of the fuel cell stack 10. FIG. 8 shows thecorrelation between the water content and power generation amount of theelectrolyte membrane under operating conditions 1 to 4 in which theoperating temperatures of the fuel cell stack 10 are varied.

As shown in the graph, in each operating condition, there is a range ofwater content in which the power generation amount increases with anincrease in the water content of the electrolyte membrane and a range ofwater content in which the power generation amount reduces with anincrease in the water content of the electrolyte membrane. Then, theinventors found that, local power generation concentration due to alocally insufficient water content within the plane of the electrolytemembrane does not occur within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly 12 in the range of water content in which the power generationamount increases with an increase in the water content of theelectrolyte membrane, and the power generation concentration occurswithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 in the range ofwater content in which the power generation amount reduces with anincrease in the water content of the electrolyte membrane. In addition,the inventors found that, in the range of water content in which thepower generation amount reduces with an increase in the water content ofthe electrolyte membrane, the degree of the power generationconcentration increases as the water content of the electrolyte membranereduces. Then, in the second embodiment, as indicated by the alternatelong and short dashes line in the graph, for each operating condition ofthe fuel cell stack 10, a threshold Cth for the water content C of theelectrolyte membrane is defined at the boundary between the range ofwater content in which the power generation amount increases with anincrease in the water content of the electrolyte membrane and the rangeof water content in which the power generation amount reduces with anincrease in the water content of the electrolyte membrane, and is usedin the power generation concentration suppressing control process aswill be described below. For example, for the operating condition 1(“O”), Cth1 is defined as the threshold Cth, and, for the operatingcondition 4 (“⋄”), Cth4 that is larger than Cth1 is defined as thethreshold Cth. Each threshold Cth is mapped.

Referring back to FIG. 7, after the water content estimating process(step S200), the CPU loads the threshold Cth corresponding to theoperating condition of the fuel cell stack 10 from the ROM (step S210),and then determines whether the water content C is smaller than thethreshold Cth (step S220). Then, when the water content C is larger thanor equal to the threshold Cth (NO in step S220), the CPU recognizes thatthere is no local power generation concentration due to a locallyinsufficient water content within the plane of the electrolyte membranewithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12, and returns theprocess to step S200. On the other hand, when the water content C issmaller than the threshold Cth (YES in step S220), the CPU recognizesthat there is the power generation concentration within the plane of themembrane electrode assembly 12, and executes drying suppression control(step S230). In the second embodiment, in the drying suppressioncontrol, the opening degree of the pressure regulating valve 36 isdecreased to increase the back pressure of cathode offgas for apredetermined period of time. By so doing, evaporation of water from theelectrolyte membrane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 is suppressedto thereby make it possible to eliminate local power generationconcentration due to a locally insufficient water content in theelectrolyte membrane. In addition, in the drying suppression control,the rotational speed of the air compressor 31 may be decreased to reducethe flow rate of air supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 or therotational speed of the hydrogen circulation pump 27 may be increased toincrease the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell stack 10.Note that, after step S230, the CPU returns the process to step S200.

FIG. 9 is a graph that illustrates a method of determining the backpressure of cathode offgas in drying suppression control. As describedwith reference to FIG. 8 above, in the range of water content in whichthe power generation amount reduces with an increase in the watercontent of the electrolyte membrane, the degree of the power generationconcentration may be determined to be larger as the water content of theelectrolyte membrane reduces. Then, in the second embodiment, under eachoperating condition of the fuel cell stack 10, as the water content C ofthe electrolyte membrane reduces with respect to the threshold Cth, theopening degree of the pressure regulating valve 36 is decreased toincrease the back pressure of cathode offgas. For example, as shown inFIG. 9, in the case of the operating condition 1, as the water content Cof the electrolyte membrane reduces with respect to the threshold Cth1,the opening degree of the pressure regulating valve 36 is decreased; inthe case of the operating condition 4, as the water content C of theelectrolyte membrane reduces with respect to the threshold Cth4, theopening degree of the pressure regulating valve 36 is decreased toincrease the back pressure of cathode offgas. By so doing, it ispossible to effectively and quickly eliminate the power generationconcentration. As a result, energy required in the control issuppressed, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in energyefficiency in the fuel cell system.

With the thus described fuel cell system according to the secondembodiment as well, in the fuel cell stack 10 (polymer electrolyte fuelcell), it is possible to suppress local degradation of each membraneelectrode assembly 12 caused by local power generation concentrationwithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 due to a waterdistribution.

In addition, in the second embodiment, in the water content estimatingprocess (FIG. 7, step S200), the water content at the portion at whichthe water content easily reduces within the plane of the electrolytemembrane is estimated, so it is possible to determine whether there isthe power generation concentration with high sensitivity. This isbecause, at the portion at which the water content easily reduces withinthe plane of the electrolyte membrane, the water content of theelectrolyte membrane easily varies in response to the operatingcondition of the fuel cell stack 10.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. The configuration of a fuelcell system according to the third embodiment is the same as theconfiguration of the fuel cell system according to the secondembodiment. However, in the fuel cell system according to the thirdembodiment, power generation concentration suppressing control processis different from the power generation concentration suppressing controlprocess in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem according to the third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem according to the third embodiment. This process is executed bythe CPU of the control unit 70 in parallel with normal operation controlin response to an output power required of the fuel cell stack 10.

When the power generation concentration suppressing control process isstarted, the CPU initially loads the operating condition of the fuelcell stack 10, and executes anode-cathode water transfer amountdistribution estimating process (step S300). The anode-cathode watertransfer amount distribution estimating process is to estimate adistribution of water content that transfers between the cathode and theanode across the electrolyte membrane within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly 12 (anode-cathode water transfer amount). In thepresent embodiment, a two-dimensional distribution of anode-cathodewater transfer amount is estimated along the flow direction of hydrogenand the flow direction of air (see FIG. 3). Note that the anode-cathodewater transfer amount distribution estimating process may be executed asin the case of the water distribution estimating process in the powergeneration concentration suppressing control process according to theabove described first embodiment, and the detailed description of theanode-cathode water transfer amount distribution estimating process isomitted here.

Here, the correlation between a distribution of anode-cathode watertransfer amount within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12and local power generation concentration will be described.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are graphs that illustrate the correlation betweenan anode-cathode water transfer amount distribution within the plane ofthe membrane electrode assembly 12 and local power generationconcentration. FIG. 11A shows a distribution of water content thattransfers from the anode to the cathode (anode-cathode water transferamount distribution) within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly12 when the back pressure of cathode offgas is varied. In addition, FIG.11B shows a distribution of current density when the back pressure ofcathode offgas is varied. Note that, in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, the backpressure of cathode offgas increases in order of “O”, “□”, “Δ”, “⋄” and“*” (the back pressure of cathode offgas: “O”<“□”<“Δ”<“⋄”<“*”).

It has been found from FIG. 11A that, as the back pressure of cathodeoffgas increases, a position at which the anode-cathode water transferamount is 0 approaches from the outlet side of cathode offgas (hydrogenin, air out) to the inlet side of air (air in, hydrogen out), that is, acoordinate value Pos that indicates the distance between a portion fromwhich cathode offgas is exhausted and a portion at which theanode-cathode water transfer amount is 0 increases. In addition, it hasalso been found from FIG. 11B that, as the back pressure of cathodeoffgas increases, the current density at the outlet side of cathodeoffgas reduces, the current density at the inlet side of air increases,and a current density distribution is uniformized. Then, the inventorshave found from FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B that, as the coordinate value Posthat indicates the distance between a portion from which cathode offgasis exhausted and a portion at which the anode-cathode water transferamount is 0 reduces, there occurs power generation concentration withinthe plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12; whereas, as thecoordinate value Pos increases, there occurs no local power generationconcentration within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12.Then, in the third embodiment, on the basis of the above describedfindings, a threshold Posth is defined for the coordinate value Pos,and, when the coordinate value Pos is smaller than the threshold Posth,it is determined that there is local power generation concentration dueto a locally insufficient water content within the plane of theelectrolyte membrane within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly12. In addition, as the coordinate value Pos reduces with respect to thethreshold Posth, the degree of the power generation concentration isdetermined to be larger within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly 12.

Referring back to FIG. 10, after the anode-cathode water transfer amountdistribution estimating process (step S300), the CPU loads the thresholdPosth from the ROM (step S310), and then determines whether thecoordinate value Pos is smaller than the threshold Posth (step S320).Then, when the coordinate value Pos is larger than or equal to thethreshold Posth (NO in step S320), the CPU recognizes that there is nolocal power generation concentration due to a locally insufficient watercontent within the plane of the electrolyte membrane within the plane ofthe membrane electrode assembly 12, and returns the process to stepS300. On the other hand, when the coordinate value Pos is smaller thanthe threshold Posth (YES in step S320), the CPU recognizes that there isthe power generation concentration within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly 12, and executes drying suppression control (stepS330). In the third embodiment, in the drying suppression control, theopening degree of the pressure regulating valve 36 is decreased toincrease the back pressure of cathode offgas for a predetermined periodof time. By so doing, evaporation of water from the electrolyte membraneof the membrane electrode assembly 12 is suppressed to thereby make itpossible to eliminate local power generation concentration due to alocally insufficient water content in the electrolyte membrane. Inaddition, in the drying suppression control, the rotational speed of theair compressor 31 may be decreased to reduce the flow rate of airsupplied to the fuel cell stack 10 or the rotational speed of thehydrogen circulation pump 27 may be increased to increase the flow rateof hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell stack 10. Note that, after stepS330, the CPU returns the process to step S300.

FIG. 12 is a graph that illustrates a method of determining the backpressure of cathode offgas in drying suppression control. As describedwith reference to FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B above, as the coordinate valuePos that indicates the distance between a portion from which cathodeoffgas is exhausted and a portion at which the anode-cathode watertransfer amount is 0 reduces with respect to the threshold Posth, thedegree of the power generation concentration may be determined to belarger within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12. Then, inthe third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, as the coordinate value Posreduces with respect to the threshold Posth, the opening degree of thepressure regulating valve 36 is decreased to increase the back pressureof cathode offgas. By so doing, it is possible to efficiently andquickly eliminate the power generation concentration. As a result,energy required in the control is suppressed, and it is possible tosuppress a decrease in energy efficiency in the fuel cell system.

With the thus described fuel cell system according to the thirdembodiment as well, in the fuel cell stack 10 (polymer electrolyte fuelcell), it is possible to suppress local degradation of each membraneelectrode assembly 12 caused by local power generation concentrationwithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 due to a waterdistribution.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The configuration of a fuelcell system according to the fourth embodiment is the same as theconfiguration of the fuel cell system according to the secondembodiment. However, in the fuel cell system according to the fourthembodiment, power generation concentration suppressing control processis different from the power generation concentration suppressing controlprocess in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem according to the fourth embodiment. This process is executed bythe CPU of the control unit 70 in parallel with normal operation controlin response to an output power required of the fuel cell stack 10.

When the power generation concentration suppressing control process isstarted, the CPU initially loads the operating condition of the fuelcell stack 10, and executes anode-cathode water transfer amountdistribution estimating process (step S400). This anode-cathode watertransfer amount distribution estimating process is the same as theanode-cathode water transfer amount distribution estimating process inthe power generation concentration suppressing control process accordingto the third embodiment.

Here, the correlation between a distribution of anode-cathode watertransfer amount within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12and local power generation concentration will be described.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are graphs that illustrate the correlation betweenan anode-cathode water transfer amount distribution within the plane ofthe membrane electrode assembly 12 and local power generationconcentration. FIG. 14A shows a distribution of water content thattransfers from the anode to the cathode (anode-cathode water transferamount distribution) within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly12 when the back pressure of cathode offgas is varied. In addition, FIG.14B shows a distribution of current density when the back pressure ofcathode offgas is varied. Note that, in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, the backpressure of cathode offgas is higher in the distribution indicated by“*” than in the distribution indicated by “O”.

It has been found from FIG. 14A that, when the back pressure of cathodeoffgas is relatively low, the function that expresses an anode-cathodewater transfer amount distribution has a point of inflection; whereas,when the back pressure of cathode offgas is relatively high, thefunction that expresses an anode-cathode water transfer amountdistribution has no point of inflection. In addition, it has also beenfound from FIG. 14B (FIG. 11B) that, as the back pressure of cathodeoffgas increases, the current density at the outlet side of cathodeoffgas reduces, the current density at the inlet side of air increases,and a current density distribution is uniformized. Then, the inventorshave found from FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B that, when the function thatexpresses an anode-cathode water transfer amount distribution has apoint of inflection, there occurs power generation concentration withinthe plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12; whereas, when thefunction that expresses an anode-cathode water transfer amountdistribution has no point of inflection, there occurs no powergeneration concentration within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly 12. Then, in the fourth embodiment, on the basis of the abovedescribed findings, when the function that expresses an anode-cathodewater transfer amount distribution has a point of inflection, it isdetermined that there is local power generation concentration due to alocally insufficient water content within the plane of the electrolytemembrane within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12.

Referring back to FIG. 13, after the anode-cathode water transfer amountdistribution estimating process (step S400), the CPU obtains a functionthat expresses an anode-cathode water transfer amount distribution,subjects the function to second order differentiation (step S410), andthen determines whether the function that expresses an anode-cathodewater transfer amount distribution has a point of inflection (stepS420). When the function that expresses an anode-cathode water transferamount distribution has no point of inflection (NO in step S420), theCPU recognizes that there is no local power generation concentration dueto a locally insufficient water content within the plane of theelectrolyte membrane within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly12, and returns the process to step S400. On the other hand, when thefunction that expresses an anode-cathode water transfer amountdistribution has a point of inflection (YES in step S420), the CPUrecognizes that there is the above power generation concentration withinthe plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12, and executes dryingsuppression control (step S430). In the fourth embodiment, in the dryingsuppression control, the opening degree of the pressure regulating valve36 is decreased to increase the back pressure of cathode offgas for apredetermined period of time. By so doing, evaporation of water from theelectrolyte membrane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 is suppressedto thereby make it possible to eliminate local power generationconcentration due to a locally insufficient water content in theelectrolyte membrane. In addition, in the drying suppression control,the rotational speed of the air compressor 31 may be decreased to reducethe flow rate of air supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 or therotational speed of the hydrogen circulation pump 27 may be increased toincrease the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell stack 10.Note that, after step S430, the CPU returns the process to step S400.

With the thus described fuel cell system according to the fourthembodiment as well, in the fuel cell stack 10 (polymer electrolyte fuelcell), it is possible to suppress local degradation of each membraneelectrode assembly 12 caused by local power generation concentrationwithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 due to a waterdistribution.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The configuration of a fuelcell system according to the fifth embodiment is the same as theconfiguration of the fuel cell system according to the secondembodiment. However, in the fuel cell system according to the fifthembodiment, power generation concentration suppressing control processis different from the power generation concentration suppressing controlprocess in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem according to the fifth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem according to the fifth embodiment. This process is executed bythe CPU of the control unit 70 in parallel with normal operation controlin response to an output power required of the fuel cell stack 10.

When the power generation concentration suppressing control process isstarted, the CPU initially loads the operating condition of the fuelcell stack 10, and obtains a peak current Ip within the plane of themembrane electrode assembly 12 (step S500). The peak current Ip withinthe plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 may be, for example,estimated using a function or map having various parameters in theoperating condition of the fuel cell stack 10 as variables.

Subsequently, the CPU loads a threshold Ipth for the peak current Ipfrom the ROM (step S510), and then determines whether the peak currentIp obtained in step S500 is larger than the threshold Ipth (step S520).When the peak current Ip is smaller than or equal to the threshold Ipth(NO in step S520), the CPU recognizes that there is no local powergeneration concentration due to a locally insufficient water contentwithin the plane of the electrolyte membrane within the plane of themembrane electrode assembly 12, and returns the process to step S500. Onthe other hand, when the peak current Ip is larger than the thresholdIpth (YES in step S520), the CPU recognizes that there is the powergeneration concentration within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly 12, and executes drying suppression control (step S530). In thefifth embodiment, in the drying suppression control, in consideration ofthe correlation between the back pressure of cathode offgas and the peakcurrent Ip (see FIG. 16), the opening degree of the pressure regulatingvalve 36 is decreased to increase the back pressure of cathode gas for apredetermined period of time so that the peak current Ip is smaller thanor equal to the threshold Ipth. By so doing, evaporation of water fromthe electrolyte membrane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 issuppressed to thereby make it possible to eliminate local powergeneration concentration due to a locally insufficient water content inthe electrolyte membrane. In addition, in the drying suppressioncontrol, the rotational speed of the air compressor 31 may be decreasedto reduce the flow rate of air supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 or therotational speed of the hydrogen circulation pump 27 may be increased toincrease the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell stack 10.Note that, after step S530, the CPU returns the process to step S500.

FIG. 16 is a graph that shows the correlation between the back pressureof cathode offgas and a peak current Ip under various operatingconditions of the fuel cell stack 10. For example, as indicated by “□”in the graph, depending on the operating condition of the fuel cellstack 10, even when the control value for the back pressure of cathodeoffgas is set to a control value b that is larger than a control value awhile the control value is the control value a and the peak current Ipis larger than the threshold Ipth, the peak current Ip may possiblyincrease to facilitate the power generation concentration. Then, in sucha case, by consulting the illustrated profile (map), the back pressureof cathode offgas is instantaneously varied to a control value c atwhich the peak current Ip is smaller than the threshold Ipth. By sodoing, it is possible to efficiently and quickly eliminate the powergeneration concentration.

With the thus described fuel cell system according to the fifthembodiment as well, in the fuel cell stack 10 (polymer electrolyte fuelcell), it is possible to suppress local degradation of each membraneelectrode assembly 12 caused by local power generation concentrationwithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 due to a waterdistribution.

Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The configuration of a fuelcell system according to the sixth embodiment is the same as theconfiguration of the fuel cell system according to the secondembodiment. However, in the fuel cell system according to the sixthembodiment, power generation concentration suppressing control processis different from the power generation concentration suppressing controlprocess in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem according to the sixth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart that shows the flow of power generationconcentration suppressing control process executed in the fuel cellsystem according to the sixth embodiment. This process is executed bythe CPU of the control unit 70 in parallel with normal operation controlin response to an output power required of the fuel cell stack 10.

When the power generation concentration suppressing control process isstarted, the CPU initially loads the operating condition of the fuelcell stack 10, and obtains a current density distribution within theplane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 (step S600). The currentdensity distribution within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly12 may be, for example, estimated using a function or map having variousparameters in the operating condition of the fuel cell stack 10 asvariables.

Subsequently, the CPU obtains a standard deviation Vi of the currentdensity distribution obtained in step S600 (step S610). Then, the CPUloads a threshold Vith for the standard deviation Vi from the ROM (stepS620), and then determines whether the standard deviation Vi is largerthan the threshold Vith (step S630). When the standard deviation Vi issmaller than or equal to the threshold Vith (NO in step S630), the CPUrecognizes that there is no local power generation concentration due toa locally insufficient water content within the plane of the electrolytemembrane within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12, andreturns the process to step S600. On the other hand, when the standarddeviation Vi is larger than the threshold Vith (YES in step S630), theCPU recognizes that there is the power generation concentration withinthe plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12, and executes dryingsuppression control (step S640). In the sixth embodiment, in the dryingsuppression control, in consideration of the correlation between theback pressure of cathode offgas and the standard deviation Vi (see FIG.18), the opening degree of the pressure regulating valve 36 is decreasedto increase the back pressure of cathode offgas for a predeterminedperiod of time. By so doing, evaporation of water from the electrolytemembrane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 is suppressed to therebymake it possible to eliminate local power generation concentration dueto a locally insufficient water content in the electrolyte membrane. Inaddition, in the drying suppression control, the rotational speed of theair compressor 31 may be decreased to reduce the flow rate of airsupplied to the fuel cell stack 10 or the rotational speed of thehydrogen circulation pump 27 may be increased to increase the flow rateof hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell stack 10. Note that, after stepS630, the CPU returns the process to step S600.

FIG. 18 is a graph that illustrates the correlation between the backpressure of anode offgas and the standard deviation Vi of a currentdensity distribution under various operating conditions of the fuel cellstack 10. For example, under the operating condition of the fuel cellstack 10 indicated by “Δ” in the graph, when the control value of theback pressure of cathode offgas is a control value d and the standarddeviation Vi of a current density distribution is larger than thethreshold Vith, the back pressure of cathode offgas is instantaneouslyvaried by consulting the illustrated profile (map) to a control value eat which the standard deviation Vi of a current density distribution issmaller than the threshold Vith. By so doing, it is possible toeffectively and quickly eliminate the power generation concentration.

With the thus described fuel cell system according to the sixthembodiment as well, in the fuel cell stack 10 (polymer electrolyte fuelcell), it is possible to suppress local degradation of each membraneelectrode assembly 12 caused by local power generation concentrationwithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12 due to a waterdistribution.

The several embodiments of the invention are described above; however,the aspect of the invention is not limited to those embodiments. Theaspect of the invention may be implemented in various forms withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. For example, the followingalternative embodiments are applicable.

A first alternative embodiment will be described. In the firstembodiment, the temperature sensors 14 a and 14 b are respectivelyprovided for the frame member 14 at a portion adjacent to a portion fromwhich air is introduced into the cathode of the membrane electrodeassembly 12 at the outlet side of coolant and at a portion adjacent to aportion from which cathode offgas is exhausted from the cathode of themembrane electrode assembly 12 at the outlet side of coolant; however,the aspect of the invention is not limited to this configuration. Thetemperature sensors 14 a and 14 b just need to be provided at portionsat which the correlation between the temperatures T1 and T2 and localpower generation concentration of the membrane electrode assembly 12 isknown in advance.

A second alternative embodiment will be described. In the firstembodiment, determination as to the power generation concentration ismade on the basis of the difference between the temperature T2 and thetemperature T1; however, the aspect of the invention is not limited tothis configuration. For example, determination as to the powergeneration concentration may be determined on the basis of the ratiobetween the temperature T2 and the temperature T1.

A third alternative embodiment will be described. In the powergeneration concentration suppressing control process according to thefirst embodiment, fuel gas flow passage water drain control, oxidant gasflow passage water drain control and drying suppression control areseparately executed; however, the aspect of the invention is not limitedto this configuration. For example, when an excessive amount of residualwater in the fuel gas flow passage and an excessive amount of residualwater in the oxidant gas flow passage have been detected from thedetermination result in step S110 of FIG. 5, fuel gas flow passage waterdrain control and oxidant gas flow passage water drain control may beexecuted in parallel with each other.

A fourth alternative embodiment will be described. The processes of stepS100 to step S130 in the power generation concentration suppressingcontrol process according to the first embodiment may applied to thepower generation concentration suppressing control processes accordingto the second to sixth embodiments.

A fifth alternative embodiment will be described. In the powergeneration concentration suppressing control process according to thefirst embodiment, the processes of step S100 to step S130 may beomitted.

A sixth alternative embodiment will be described. In the first to thirdembodiments, in the drying suppression control of the power generationconcentration suppressing control process, the back pressure of cathodeoffgas is linearly varied in response to the degree of local powergeneration concentration within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly 12; however, the aspect of the invention is not limited to thisconfiguration. For example, the back pressure of cathode offgas may bevaried in a stepwise manner in response to the degree of the powergeneration concentration.

A seventh alternative embodiment will be described. In the first tothird embodiments, in the power generation concentration suppressingcontrol process, drying suppression control is executed for apredetermined period of time; however, the aspect of the invention isnot limited to this configuration. A period of time (duration), duringwhich drying suppression control is executed while the amount ofincrease in the back pressure of cathode offgas is kept constant, may bevaried in response to the degree of local power generation concentrationwithin the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12. For example, theduration of drying suppression control may be extended as the degree oflocal power generation concentration within the plane of the membraneelectrode assembly 12 increases.

An eighth alternative embodiment will be described. In the powergeneration concentration suppressing control processes according to thefifth and sixth embodiments, when the power generation concentration isnot eliminated after drying suppression control, fuel gas flow passagewater drain control or oxidant gas flow passage water drain controldescribed in the first embodiment may be further executed.

A ninth alternative embodiment will be described. In the powergeneration concentration suppressing control processes according to thefirst to sixth embodiments, the output power of the fuel cell stack 10may be considered in order to determine whether there is local powergeneration concentration within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly 12. This is because, when there is the power generationconcentration within the plane of the membrane electrode assembly 12,the effective power generation area reduces and, therefore, the outputpower of the fuel cell stack 10 mostly decreases below a desired outputpower.

In addition, in the power generation concentration suppressing controlprocesses according to the first to sixth embodiments, the impedance ofthe fuel cell stack 10 may be considered in order to determine whetherthere is local power generation concentration within the plane of themembrane electrode assembly 12. This is because, when there is the powergeneration concentration within the plane of the membrane electrodeassembly 12, the impedance of the fuel cell stack 10 increases above adesired value or steeply varies in a short period of time.

What is claimed is: 1-20. (canceled)
 21. A fuel cell system comprising:a fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrodeassembly having an anode and a cathode which are respectively bonded toboth surfaces of an electrolyte membrane formed of a solid polymer; afuel gas flow passage flowing fuel gas along a surface of the anode; anoxidant gas flow passage flowing oxidant gas along a surface of thecathode; a fuel gas supply/exhaust unit configured to supply fuel gas tothe anode and configured to exhaust anode off-gas exhausted from theanode, via the fuel gas flow passage; and an oxidant gas supply/exhaustunit configured to supply oxidant gas to the cathode and configured toexhaust cathode off-gas exhausted from the cathode, via the oxidant gasflow passage; a power generation concentration determining unitconfigured to determine whether there is a phenomenon in the fuel cellresulting from local power generation concentration, where the amount ofpower generation per unit area locally exceeds an allowable value,within a plane of the membrane electrode assembly due to a waterdistribution, the water distribution including a water contentdistribution within a plane of the electrolyte membrane, a residualwater distribution in the fuel gas flow passage and a residual waterdistribution in the oxidant gas flow passage, the power generationconcentration determining unit being configured to estimate the waterdistribution on the basis of an operating condition of the fuel cell,and the power generation concentration determining unit being configuredto determine on the basis of the estimated water distribution whether acause of the power generation concentration is a locally insufficientwater content in the electrolyte membrane, a locally excessive amount ofresidual water in the fuel gas flow passage or a locally excessiveamount of residual water in the oxidant gas flow passage; and a controlunit configured to control at least one of the fuel gas supply/exhaustunit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so as to eliminate thephenomenon when the power generation concentration determining unitdetermines that there is the phenomenon, the control unit beingconfigured to control at least one of the fuel gas supply/exhaust unitand the oxidant gas supply unit on the basis of the determined cause ofthe power generation concentration, and the control unit beingconfigured to control the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit so as to increasea flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the anode when it is determinedthat the cause of the power generation concentration is a locallyinsufficient water content in the electrolyte membrane.
 22. The fuelcell system according to claim 21, wherein when it is determined thatthe cause of the power generation concentration is a locallyinsufficient water content in the electrolyte membrane, the control unitis configured to control the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so as toreduce a flow rate of the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode.
 23. Thefuel cell system according to claim 21, wherein when it is determinedthat the cause of the power generation concentration is a localinsufficient water content in the electrolyte membrane, the control unitis configured to control the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so as toincrease a back pressure of the cathode off-gas.
 24. The fuel cellsystem according to claim 21, wherein when it is determined that thecause of the power generation concentration is a locally excessiveamount of residual water in the fuel gas flow passage, the control unitis configured to control the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit so as toincrease a flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the anode.
 25. The fuelcell system according to claim 21, wherein when it is determined thatthe cause of the power generation concentration is a locally excessiveamount of residual water in the oxidant gas flow passage, the controlunit is configured to control the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit so asto increase a flow rate of the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode. 26.The fuel cell system according to claim 21, wherein when it isdetermined that the cause of the power generation concentration is alocally excessive amount of residual water in the oxidant gas flowpassage, the control unit is configured to control the oxidant gassupply/exhaust unit so as to reduce a back pressure of the cathodeoff-gas.